As part of the special events related to the EU Presidency, there will be a re-introduction of border controls at Malta International Airport for passengers departing to, and arriving from, Schengen states. These controls will be in place as from the 21st of January 2017 at 0001 hours to the 9th of February 2017 at 2400 hours. Here are some questions and answers about how these two events will affect passengers and airport operations.

1) How will airport operations be impacted by the summit Malta is hosting in February?

For these events, the airport will continue running normally.  Border controls will be applied to all flights operating to and from Malta International Airport.

2)  What security measures are being taken to safeguard the security of passengers throughout this period?

Security is a top priority and it is managed in partnership with the office of the Aviation Security Malta. The usual security screening provisions for all departing passengers will apply. In addition, the Police Force will also strengthen its border control policies at the airport by implementing Non-Schengen controls for all passengers.

3) What do border (Non-Schengen) controls entail?

Each passenger, whether departing from or arriving at Malta International Airport, will go through a border control point, irrespective of the destination and/or country of origin. This means that Personal Identification Document controls will be effected in the Departures Area directly ahead of the boarding gates, as well as in the Arrivals Area of the terminal.

4) Do I need to bring any additional documents to pass through border controls?

No. The same rules will continue to apply. You will need to produce a passport if you are travelling to/arriving from a third country but an official ID card would suffice if you are travelling to/arriving from a Schengen or Non-Schengen country of the European Union*. Schengen passengers will nonetheless be required to pass through a border control point.

*Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.